9 replies to this topic

[msweet]

The 2013 NHL season, shorter than a normal regular season with the infamous lockout, begins on Saturday. Before the pucks drop, we predict how this sprint to the Stanley Cup playoffs will unfold:
PREDICTED ORDER OF FINISH
1. Penguins; 2. Hurricanes; 3. Bruins; 4. Rangers; 5. Lightning; 6. Flyers; 7. Devils; 8. Capitals; 9. Sabres; 10. Senators; 11. Islanders; 12. Panthers; 13. Canadiens; 14. Jets; 15. Maple Leafs

http://www.nj.com/de...ference_se.html

[DevilMinder]

I have yet to see a positive placement from any of the writers (TSN/espn/etc).

[newarkcupparade]

Devils predicted to finish in 7th. Honestly, this is gonna be such a toss up season.

[Steadevils]

I'd sign up to take the 7 seed VS the Canes in the first round right now...Just need to get in this year.

[SterioDesign]

we never get good predictions, never.

[DH26]

we never get good predictions, never.

If anything's been made clear with the Zajac signing, the national media knows nothing about the Devils so it's not surprising

[Daniel]

I can't quibble with these predictions too much. Maybe the Devils could finish as high as 5th place, but 7 sounds about right. I also find it interesting that everyone is counting out the Panthers.

[Brandon]

This is what I got, i'm really banking on Marty getting it together early:

East:
1. BOS * (32-10-6)
2. PIT * (30-11-7)
3. WSH * (24-17-7)
4. NJ (25-15-8)
5. NYR (25-16-7)
6. PHI (24-18-6)
7. CAR (22-18-8)
8. FLA (21-19-8)
---------------------------
9. OTT (20-21-7)
10. TB (19-22-7)
11. BUF (18-23-7)
12. TOR (16-26-6)
13. MTL (14-28-6)
14. WPG (12-29-7)
15. NYI (11-30-7)

West:
1. LA * (31-12-5)
2. STL * (29-11-8)
3. VAN * (28-12-8)
4. NSH (26-14-8)
5. CHI (24-15-9)
6. DAL (23-18-7)
7. DET (23-19-6)
8. PHX (22-19-7)
---------------------------
9. SJ (21-20-7)
10. MIN (20-20-8)
11. COL (17-25-6)
12. ANA (15-26-7)
13. CGY (14-27-7)
14. EDM (14-29-5)
15. CBJ (9-35-4)

I could see our depth pulling us ahead of the Rags and Flyers, the Rags bottom 6 is brutal so they can really only roll 2 real lines.

[Devilsfan118]

Guys...listen...

I'm all for hoping for home-ice advantage, but..this team just doesn't seem to have it on paper. Too many questions. I think a pre-season prediction of 5th-8th is fair, honestly.

And though I hate to say it..putting the Devils ahead of the Rangers right now (again, solely based on the rosters 'on paper') is pretty foolish. The Rangers look pretty stacked this year, in every category.

Edited by Devilsfan118, 18 January 2013 - 12:27 PM.

[Chuck the Duck]

You can't quibble with a prediction of a 5-8 finish. The Eastern Conference is extremely tough, and with a short season like this, anything can happen thereby making these predictions pretty much pointless. Plus, whenever the media doubts this team, they generally seem to respond and shove it right back down their f'ing throats. Let's hope that happens again this season.